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side effects of levothyroxin

i am on levothyroxin for three weeks , first two weeks i was doing ok, but past one week i feel tired on my legs, sometimes cold and also experiencing body pain.
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Avatar universal
Generic is not for everyone.  The medication is the same but the base that a generic is put in is not.  Levothyroxin had a very adverse affect on me.  Tired, dizzy, and then only by what I can call them, brain flashes.  I could see lights without having lights on.  I knew something was wrong.   When I asked, the pharmacy had chosen (Walgreens) to make a change to generic WITHOUT my consent because they thought it would be cheaper.  

You see, I have been on Levoxyl (125mcg) for years when this happened and have had no adverse effect.  I changed pharmacy first off, got my money back for their screw up, and it is now it is posted on my orders NO generic.  

Not every - body - absorbs a generic equally.  Compositions are different.  Suggestion: change to Levoxyl and if the symptons persist then go further with your investigatin.  Also if you are new to your medications, it will often take a year of adjustment to find the right level for you.  While this is happening, you're going to feel hammered.  

Something to think about.

Candice in OKC  

Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
Your best bet is to call the pharmacy or Dr to see if it is generic.It apparently makes a huge difference.The generic pills have fillers in them and varying doses of the thyroid hormone.3 different thyroid/endocrine socities recomend brand name.It is also recomended to take your thyroid pill in am with a glass of water(not sure why) and to wait at least a hour before eating.Hope this helps.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I looked and the brand I'm taking is Unithroid. Is that a generic?? My endo did say something about how it was better to take brand name.  He gave me samples for a month and when I go back to get my levels rechecked, he's going to give me a prescription so this is just temporary right now. Thanks for the heads up!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Can levothyroxine cause fatique, hair loss, rash on abd,chest and lt side of back abd pain,nausea,emotional swings,depression?( Thyroid levels were O.K.) I have not felt right since having a tt 2 mo ago. Since being placed on levoxl 5 days ago these symptoms have started to abate. Is it related?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I had a thyroidectomy 2 mo ago and was put on generic thyroid by walgreens even though my Dr requested brand name. I have been falling asleep during the day.developed a rash and now dealing with severe abd pain and nausea. Now tha I am on brand name for 4 days still tired but not falling asleep but rash is gone. Is there a reaction to generic and will I ever get better?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
should I be getting a irritated throat   and the heavy leg feeling and my joints seem to swell and ache and I am not loosing weight I am gaining and fast
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
It takes a long time for the thyroid medication to work.  I would say your still going down into your hypothyroid spiral.  The tired legs is what I used to get.  I believe it was an adrenal problem caused by being so hypothyroid.  Eventually the legs improved after about 6 months.  We seem to rely on our adrenal glands because our thyroid has given up!  

The coldness and body pains are typical hypothyroid symptoms.  You need to take thyroid hormone to fix this.  The T4-only medication takes a very long time to make much of a difference I've found.  I now take T4/T3 combination.  I only improved slightly on T4-only medication and some things did not improve....vertigo, depression, etc.

...Julia
Helpful - 0
97953 tn?1440865392
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Give it some more time and see -- wait 5-6 weeks before retest and re-evaluation of dose, you may need a different dose of levothyroxine.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
It may be that your dose is not adequate.  You need to re-test at six weeks.  It could also be that you're not getting any T3 thyroid hormone.  T4 is supposed to convert to T3 as needed but in some of us, it simply does not do it.  When you re-test, get FREE T3, FREE T4 and TSH.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I've been on Levothyroxine for the past 9 months and I seem to be doing ok.. Perhaps your pains are caused by something else? Have you checked your other thyroid blood results?
Helpful - 0

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